At least 20 people lost their lives, and 21 others sustained injuries on Friday morning when a passenger bus plunged into a ravine in the Diamir district of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region in northern Pakistan, an official confirmed to China Urdu.
According to Faizullah Faraq, the spokesperson for GB Chief Minister, the tragic accident occurred as the bus attempted a sharp turn in the Yashoo Khealdas area of Diamer.
Upon receiving the distress call, police and rescue teams promptly responded to the scene. They evacuated 15 deceased individuals and 22 injured passengers, including women and children, to a nearby hospital.
The official expressed concern that the death toll might escalate as several of the injured were in critical condition, and some individuals remained trapped inside the wreckage.
Reportedly, the bus was en route to Hunza district from the eastern garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Initial investigations by the police indicated that the accident occurred due to overspeeding, leading the driver to lose control of the vehicle while negotiating the sharp turn.
Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan conveyed his heartfelt condolences over the tragic loss of lives and directed the relevant authorities to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment.